First of all take the time to sit down and gather your thoughts, there is no need to rush at this time. You should contact your doctor as they must certify that death has occurred and will need to issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death before we can come and help you. It may be at this time you would like to contact a relative or friend to support you whilst waiting for the doctor to arrive as well as contacting our office to speak with one of our on call staff so we are prepared to take your loved one into our care. In most instances in Australia, death occurs in a medical facility and they will take care of the medical formalities required. In some instances however it may not be possible for the doctor to issue a Medical Cause of Death certificate and it may be necessary for police or the Coroner to become involved.

Many people today are choosing to either pre-pay or pre-arrange their funeral arrangements, ensuring they get exactly what they want and reducing the stress on the family during their time of grieving.

A funeral bond is a specialised investment which enables you to accumulate funds to meet future funeral expenses. An investment in a funeral bond is similar to a life insurance policy, whereby your benefit becomes payable on death. The benefits must be used to meet your funeral expenses. A funeral bond is an investment towards the cost of a funeral and by itself does not guarantee against rising funeral prices. For more information or to download a brochure please visit the Funeral Plan Management Website – www.fpmanagement.com.au If you have any other questions on pre-arranging a funeral please feel free to call us on (02) 44540722 or arrange an obligation free appointment to discuss your options face to face with one of our friendly staff.

The cost of a funeral varies greatly as they depend on the choices families make through the arrangement. These choices are made either by financial basis or on a personal preference. Variations Of Funeral Expenses:

• Choice of Coffin or Casket
• Clergy Fee
• Organist Fees
• Newspaper Notices
• Radio Announcements
• Types of floral arrangements selected
• Quantity of Order of Service sheets required
• Medical and Death Certificates required
• Catering requirements
• Travel requirements

Once these factors have been decided upon then a more accurate estimate of costs can be established for a funeral service. Our staff are more than happy to answer any questions you may have on a quote you have received.

Centrelink offers the following bereavement payments to Australian residents. Entitlements can change without notice and we recommend you contact your nearest Centerlink Office for further information on 13 23 00.

• Married Pensioners: The surviving partner will receive a further 14 weeks of their spouse’s pension. This is usually paid in a lump sum.
• Single Pensioners: The estate will receive one full pension payment after the person’s death.
• Carers Pension: The carer is entitled to a further 14 weeks pension following the death and this will be paid in fortnightly repayments. If the deceased was single/widowed/divorced, there may be an additional lump sum payment.
• Sole Parent Pension: The parent is entitled to a further 14 weeks following death and this will be paid in a lump sum.
• Surviving Spouse – Bereavement Allowance Pension: If the surviving spouse does not have sufficient means to support themselves, the bereavement allowance is available for 14 weeks of payments.
• Widows Allowance: If the surviving wife has no recent workforce experience and she is over 50, she may be entitled to regular payments. Other allowances may be payable through the following institutions:
• Department of Veterans Affairs
• Insurance Companies
• Transport Accident Commission (VIC)
• Some private health funds
• Unions.

The following can provide information on allowances which may be payable if you are a member of the immediate family of a homicide victim:

• Victims Compensation Tribunal (NSW)
• Victims of Crime Compensation Unit (QLD)
• Victims Support Service (WA)
• Victims Support Service (SA)
• Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VIC)
• Victims of Crime (ACT)

A eulogy is a well-crafted speech intended to commemorate a loved one who has died. It is usually presented at a memorial service or funeral by someone who was close to the deceased and knows them well. Alternatively the celebrant delivering the service may write an include their own after meeting with the family and friends of the deceased. A eulogy may contain the following:

• A condensed life history of the person who has died
• Details about family, friends, work/career, interests, and achievements
• Nicknames and/or names known to others
• Preferences, likes and dislikes
• Any special or fond stories, sayings or qualities that are significant to others
• Favorite poems, songs, quotes, scripture.

Milton Ulladulla Funerals Services notify the following departments on your behalf after the loss of your loved one

• Centrelink (where applicable)
• Department of Veteran’s Affairs (where applicable)
• Medicare

The following departments may also need to be notified. If you need any assistance with any of these please advise one of our staff and we will be only too happy to assist

• Employer
• Financial Institutions
• Insurance companies (Health, Life etc)
• Post Office for mail delivery
• Superannuation
• Blood Bank
• RTA – car registration
• Any applicable clubs or associations
• Religious Organisations
• Solicitor
• Trade unions or professional associations
• Household help, nursing services or Meals on Wheels
• Home delivery services – e.g. newspapers and milk
• Australian Tax Office, Australian Electoral Office
• Rental Companies
• Local Government for Rates, water excess etc
• Accountant
• Telephone Provider
• Electricity Provider
• School or college
• Service organisations – e.g. Rotary, Lions, Apex, Zonta, Red Cross
• Medical Specialists (including Doctors, Dentists etc)

The most important thing about grief is that it is a natural response to loss and is normal. Allow yourself the time to grieve, cry if it helps and talk about your feelings with family and friends. For some, grief is a relatively quick process, in others much longer. In every case, grief is unique and the best way to approach it is to ‘go with it’ rather than deny it. Make sure you get your rest, eat balanced meals and lighten your workload. If you feel it is getting unbearable or you feel you simply cant cope then talking to a professional councillor may help. Our staff are always ready to have a cuppa and a chat.